Raavanan

The much hyped Raavanan having released, I was one of the lucky few who got to watch it on the first day. The story in its most basic senses, is a modern adaptation of the Indian epic 'Ramayana'. But Mani Ratnam has brought to this movie a magical touch that would indeed change the trend of movies to come in Indian cinema.

The movie is a tale of revenge and vengeance that Veeraiya (Vikram) unleashes on the people responsible for the death of his sister. To teach them a lesson he ends up kidnapping Ragini (Aishwarya Rai) and lures the cops right into his trap. Even though Ragini was his captive her attitude and approach towards things only makes his feelings grow stronger for her everyday ! The movie focuses on Veeraiya and all the multiple voices and thoughts in his head that refer to "Raavanan" from Ramayana. But only as the movie progresses do we find out his real character and the reason for such a transformation.

The beauty of this film and the most appealing factor is the cinematography adapted. The camera work was so brilliant that it would make anyone stare in amazement at how beautiful they have shown each and every thing on screen. Not once was there a dull moment as the positioning and timing of every scene was in sync with every other aspect. A R Rahman has given life to the movie with the background music and songs he has to offer. The songs were timed so perfectly that not once would you feel that there was no necessity of a song being shown there. Watch out for the cinematography in "Usure pogudhey". And the bgm for each sequence being unique made you literally connect with the things happening on-screen !

On a further note another technical point of excellence seen in this movie is the make-up and costumes used. Be it the black soot or sandhanam smothered all over Vikram's face or the many scratches and bleeding cuts on Aishwarya, the make-up department has done its best to make the movie look as realistic as possible !

When it came to acting, needless to say the director Mr. Mani Ratnam brought out the best in each and every person cast in the movie. 'Veeraiya' would have been a disaster if it was portrayed by anyone else. Vikram outdid himself by giving his best performance till date. His aggressiveness and crazy mannered body language showed us that he was living in the character the whole time ! Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on her comeback to Tamil cinema after more than a decade has also pushed her acting skills to the limit. It is impossible to stop staring at her immense beauty and now, after her portrayal of the modern 'Sita' you just can't help but be in awe at how much she has to offer.

Raavanan, according to me is one of the finest movies made in Indian cinema. And i urge all you people out there to go watch it as soon as you can !

I watched Raavanan the 2nd day of its release in a theater near Toronto. Like everyone I went for the movie with huge expectations and as a matter of fact I m a die hard Mani Ratnam's fan like other million people.

To start of with, Raavanan has Mr. Ratnam's class written all over it right from the start till the end. To make things even more better, works of The Mozart of Madras Mr. Rahman, Santosh Sivan, Suhasini Mani Ratnam and Co have done an excellent job. And I m not surprised to see them at their best, as this is "A Mani Ratnam's film" ! The story might not be very new to Tamil cinema, but even a love story involving just two characters can be portrayed in a very classical manner and the screenplay can make the movie a big hit. Simple such example are Mr. Ratnam's old movies . A simple story could be directed in a very good way or a bad way. Mani always chooses the right way - Excellence and sheer CLASS! Vikram has reached new heights already, this character is a tough one , but the way he has essayed the character is top notch ! Kudos to him and I personally feel he is not utilized properly by Tamil Cinema. This actor has lot more potential to make it big, to take Tamil Cinema to the next level just like what Kamal Hassan has been doing.

Aishwarya has a lot of scope to perform and proves her versatility once again. May be she saves her best for Mani's films I m not sure, but such a wonderful performance by the beauty Queen. Dances really well and makes her eyes do the talking in most scenes. Early in her Iruvar days to Raavanan, her success is for her hard work and dedication.

I don't have anything to talk about Karthik and Prabhu as i can only be shocked if they don't give their best in all their movies. These seasoned actors are at their best like always. Priyamani has always been an actor who can balance her talents doing glamor along side roles with substance. Good talent to be nurtured for the future. She has gone long way post Paruthi Veeran.

The music surely plays a big part in the movie. Rahman has done a superb job to make sure he delivers his best to his guru. I always felt bad about Ratnam partying ways with Ilayaraja, but may be it was a blessing in disguise as Ar Rahman came to the podium with a bang ! I hope Mani and Ilayaraja join hands some time in future.

Vairamuthu's lyrics are powerful as always. DOP Mr.Sivan has given his all for this movie given the fact this movie was mostly shot in forests and with rain most of the times. Amazing talent ! I felt that I was watching the movie like a side actor in the sets and not from the theater, it was so very real.

To summarize the whole story, even though its a Mani Ratnam's movie,I felt it wasn't his very best as he has handled tougher subjects and the screenplay lacks the master's touch in few places.

I always consider and compare Mani Ratnam to Clint Eastwood as both these people share something in common - The passion for quality cinema ! For people who look for a excuse not to watch a movie in theaters, I would suggest you to watch it and see the visual in big screen as only then you can realize their hard work. Even if your not a Mani's fan, you should watch movies like this to support quality cinema and Indian cinema as a whole.

I don't need to talk about Mani's fans, as by now most of them would have watched the movie. I don't like comparing his other movies as each are good in their own standards, this one stands right up there but his best is somewhere round the corner.

Wonderful movie, very creative, excellent performance by all its lead artists and all together a complete wholesome entertainer by the one and only Master, Mr. Mani Ratnam ! Salute you

What I can say about the movie.....

WOW, only Mani can make like this. I watched both version, simply superb, I love the tamil version. The music, picturization, editing, direction overall...speaks the Director new imagination. Oh yeah, the powerful star casts. Mind blowing performances.

Did anyone feel "The Raavan" from Mani's view? WOW...... only Mani can touch that .... The modern RAM and RAAVAN...

I watched both version...GO AND WATCH THE MOVIE IN BIG SCREENS..FEEL THE NEW KIND OF CINEMA

I have read so many bad reviews for this movie....come on ppl ...

i don't understand y people make a mindset with full of expectation for this movie. and y ppl comparing with his previous movies? Yes, it is maniratnum's movie. Forgot abt his previous movies. if the director make movies with mindset compare his previous work, i think mani's last movie is Roja.

I really like the way he took challenges to giv new kind of cinema....

make us to feel his new touch...his imagination, his technical skills,...

Overall ,Raavan and Raavan is must watch movie ..feel the director new imagination, wonderful direction, strong powerful performance from main leads.

I never thing so, any other director have this kind imagination, or make movies like this nowadays.

Cud hv been great,, but for some mindless typical bollywoody popular chunks.....

Mani Ratnam's Raavanan is a visual masterpiece, a great work of art and almost nothing beyond that. Till more than half of the film, it is about its marvelous cinematography, eye popping locations, excellent acting, technical perfection, polished and gritty narration and visualization and good editing.

The story of Raavanan runs parallel to epic Ramayana but as the film progresses there is a bold twist to the original story. We are directly introduced to the central story with a nicely edited prologue. Veeraiyya, a bandit and a 'protector' figure for the tribal, kidnaps Raagini (Aishwarya Rai) wife of Dev, a senior police officer, to settle some scores. We are shown the past of Veera through brief montages shown in between. The love between Dev and Raagini is shown hurriedly within the space of a love song. The non linear structure of the narration is notable. From then on it is a long journey through the forest. We have a jumping & drinking Hanuman, a Kumbhakarnan, Vibheeshanan and Shoorpanaka in the film. There not much happening in the first half. Its the second half of the film that strikes a chord on you emotionally. This is where that bold twist on Ramayana which was being build up all over first half happens. One wonders who is Ram and who is Raavanan.

After seeing Vikram act this role out, I am certain nobody could have done Veera any better(didn't see Raavan though). Aishwarya Rai looked enchanting, and has done justice to her half baked character Raagini. Prithviraj looked perfect for the role as a honest but ruthless cop. Acting was generally great. Cinematography was outstanding. The soundtracks sounded a bit weird in Tamil. I got used to the Hindi version (tracks were originally composed in Hindi, I think, as the Hindi songs were released a month before the Tamil). I loved them all especially folkish+electronic Ranjha Ranjha, Sufi-ish Behene De and a powerful but short Beera Beera. Some may say its not Rahman's best but I personally think its a very good album. Mani Ratnam, who was dubbed Steven Spielberg of India, has mainly focused on the style over subject. A little more hard work on the script was needed. It is made clear that Dev's hunt for Veera is not just about Raagini. What is it then? There wasn't a decent space to show Veera's love for Raagini, grow. There were a lot of things missing in the movie. But I was blown away by the visual artistry of the movie.